By

Share

Blog Roll

Sundance Review: “Fire in the Blood”

Jan 25th 2013

The unapologetically honest documentary, “Fire in the Blood” commits to its name while exposing the horrendous consequences multinational pharmaceutical corporations created by withholding life-saving antiretroviral medications from third world countries.

"Fire in the Blood" presents a raw look at HIV and AIDS in Africa. Photo: Zoriah.

This film won’t make you cry, but it will make you angry—it will fill your blood with fire.

The devastation of HIV/AIDS has taken the lives of nearly 30 million people. In 2000, North American HIV/AIDS deaths went down to 20,000, while more than 2 million died in Africa.

The documentary exposes the jaw-dropping reality that millions of deaths could have been prevented. Instead, pharmaceutical giants essentially held hostage the drugs that could save countless lives.

Mohan Grey presents his years of work creating “Fire in the Blood” with a courageous amount of dignity using the terms, “a crisis of humanity” rather than what could easily have been more politically provocative.

Notable public figures including Bill Clinton and Joseph Stiglitz voiced their stance in this devastating reality.

Pfizier, one of the top pharmaceutical giants, made $1 billion in 2000 from the sales of Fluconazole, an antiretroviral drug sold at $40 a pill. This and many other stark statistics were a large emphasis in the documentary. The power of big pharmaceutical companies is so astronomical that millions of lives have been affected by their selfish choices.

Despite the sobering facts, the film leaves room for light and optimism. The reality is still terrible—miracle drugs are available and not always accessible. Yet in the viewing of the film itself, an awareness is being reawakened and spread to the masses.

“Don’t let there be a sequel,” the final words seen on the screen solidify the message that we can’t let this happen again.